Isotech 465 User Maintenance Manual/handbook

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3 Zone Metrological Furnace 465 Iss.13 – 11/16

3 ZONE METROLOGICAL

FURNACE MODEL 465

User Maintenance Manual/Handbook

This manual refers to the following cells:

Zinc Freeze-Point Cell

Antimony Freeze-Point Cell

Aluminium Freeze-Point Cell

Silver Freeze-Point Cell

Gold Freeze-Point Cell

Copper Freeze-Point Cell

Isothermal Technology Limited, Pine Grove, Southport, PR9 9AG, England

Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Internet: www.isotech.co.uk E-mail: [e-mail]

The company is always willing to give technical advice and assistance where appropriate. Equally, because of the programme of continual

development and improvement we reserve the right to amend or alter characteristics and design without prior notice. This publication is for

information only.

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3 Zone Metrological Furnace 465 Iss.13 – 11/16

CONTENTS

GUARANTEE .................................................................................................................................................. 3

EMC INFORMATION .............................................................................................................................. 4

ELECTRICAL SAFETY .............................................................................................................................. 5

HEALTH AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ......................................................................................................... 6

CAUTIONARY NOTE ..................................................................................................................................... 7

THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE EARTHED .......................................................................................................... 7

FUSE AND NEUTRAL LINK REPLACEMENT ................................................................................................... 7

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 8

NEW FEATURES ............................................................................................................................................. 9

GENERAL LAYOUT ...................................................................................................................................... 10

CONNECTING THE FURNACE TO A LIQUID COOLANT SUPPLY .............................................................. 12

QUICK START .............................................................................................................................................. 13

USING THE OVERTEMPERATURE CONTROLLER ........................................................................................ 14

USING THE CONTROLLER .......................................................................................................................... 15

How to log in as the SUPERVISOR: .................................................................................................................... 15

How to log in as the Engineer: ............................................................................................................................ 16

The Isotech splashscreen and controls: .............................................................................................................. 16

The USER ACCESS page:.................................................................................................................................... 17

Changing the Set Point ................................................................ ................................ ........................................ 17

To change the Setpoint of the equipment:.......................................................................................................... 17

How to globally change from °C to °F or Kelvin: ................................................................................................ 18

Process to apply a User linearization to Top, Main and Bottom zone control sensors ...................................... 18

Enabling the AUTOTUNE feature: ..................................................................................................................... 20

How to change the Date and Time or the Language of the equipment: ............................................................ 20

To change the DATE and TIME or LANGUAGE:............................................................................................... 20

The NETWORK INTERFACE: ........................................................................................................................... 21

To access the NETWORK INTERFACE: ............................................................................................................ 21

Data Logging: ...................................................................................................................................................... 21

FTP Server Archiving: ......................................................................................................................................... 22

Programmer Function: ........................................................................................................................................ 22

Program Details: ................................................................................................................................................. 22

How to create a simple PROGRAM using the controller interface: ................................................................. 24

To enable/RUN this PROGRAM: ........................................................................................................................ 24

To edit an existing PROGRAM: ........................................................................................................................... 25

Using the HOLDBACK feature: .......................................................................................................................... 25

REALISING THE FOLLOWING FIXED POINTS: TIN, LEAD, ZINC, ANTIMONY, ALUMINIUM, SILVER, GOLD AND COPPER

.................................................................................................................................................................... 31

FREEZING THE TIN CELL ............................................................................................................................ 32

A USEFUL HINT ........................................................................................................................................... 33

MAINTENANCE ........................................................................................................................................... 35

CELL HANDLING ..................................................................................................................................... 35

CELL KIT .................................................................................................................................................. 35

SPARE PARTS ............................................................................................................................................... 36

SERVICING THE 3 ZONE METROLOGICAL FURNACE ................................................................................. 37

THERMOMETRIC FIXED POINTS - A TUTORIAL .......................................................................................... 38

DEFINING FIXED POINTS AND RELATED DATA ......................................................................................... 40

GENERAL NOTE ON ISOTECH METAL FREEZE POINT CELLS .................................................................... 41

PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT DEVITRIFICATION OF QUARTZ ENVELOPES ............................................... 42

GENERAL COMMENT .................................................................................................................................. 43

ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND INFORMATION ............................................................................................. 44

ISOTECH I-CAL EASY ................................................................................................................................... 45

PROGRAM EDITOR ...................................................................................................................................... 45

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3 Zone Metrological Furnace 465 Iss.13 – 11/16

GUARANTEE

This instrument has been manufactured to exacting standards and is guaranteed for twelve months against electrical
break-down or mechanical failure caused through defective material or workmanship, provided the failure is not the
result of misuse. In the event of failure covered by this guarantee, the instrument must be returned, carriage paid, to
the supplier for examination and will be replaced or repaired at our option.

FRAGILE CERAMIC AND/OR GLASS PARTS ARE NOT COVERED BY THIS GUARANTEE

INTERFERENCE WITH OR FAILURE TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN THIS INSTRUMENT MAY INVALIDATE THIS
GUARANTEE

RECOMMENDATION

The life of your ISOTECH Instrument will be prolonged if regular maintenance and cleaning to remove general dust
and debris is carried out.

ISOTHERMAL TECHNOLOGY LTD.
PINE GROVE, SOUTHPORT
PR9 9AG, ENGLAND

TEL: [phone]/544611
FAX: [phone]

The company is always willing to give technical advice and assistance where appropriate. Equally, because of the
programme of continual development and improvement we reserve the right to amend or alter characteristics and
design without prior notice. This publication is for information only.

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3 Zone Metrological Furnace 465 Iss.13 – 11/16

EMC INFORMATION

This product meets the requirements of the European Directive on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
89/336/EEC as amended by EC Directive 92/31/EEC and the European Low Voltage Directive 73/25/EEC, amended
by 93/68/EEC. To ensure emission compliance please ensure that any serial communications connecting leads are
fully screened.

The product meets the susceptibility requirements of EN 50082-1, criterion B.

Symbol Identification

Publication

Description

ISO3864

Caution (refer to manual)

IEC 417

Caution, Hot Surface

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3 Zone Metrological Furnace 465 Iss.13 – 11/16

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

This equipment must be correctly earthed.

This equipment is a Class 1 Appliance. A protective earth is used to ensure the conductive parts cannot become live
in the event of a failure of the insulation.

The protective conductor of the flexible mains cable which is coloured green/yellow MUST be connected to a suitable
earth.

The Blue conductor should be connected to Neutral and the Brown conductor to Live (Line).

Warning: Internal mains voltage hazard. Do not remove the panels.

There are no user serviceable parts inside. Contact your nearest Isotech agent for repair.

Voltage transients on the supply must not exceed 2.5kV.

Conductive pollution, e.g. Carbon dust, must be excluded from the apparatus. EN61010 pollution degree 2.

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3 Zone Metrological Furnace 465 Iss.13 – 11/16

HEALTH AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read this entire manual before use.

2. Wear appropriate protective clothing.

3. Operators of this equipment should be adequately trained in the handling of hot and cold items and liquids.

4. Do not use the apparatus for jobs other than those for which it was designed, i.e. the calibration of

thermometers.

5. Do not handle the apparatus when it is hot (or cold), unless wearing the appropriate protective clothing and

having the necessary training.

6. Do not drill, modify or otherwise change the shape of the apparatus.

7. Do not dismantle the apparatus.

8. Do not use the apparatus outside its recommended temperature range.

9. If cased, do not return the apparatus to its carrying case until the unit has cooled.

10. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Contact your nearest Isotech agent for repair.

11. Ensure materials, especially flammable materials are kept away from hot parts of the apparatus, to prevent

fire risk.

12. Ensure adequate ventilation when using oils at high temperatures.

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3 Zone Metrological Furnace 465 Iss.13 – 11/16

CAUTIONARY NOTE

PRODUCTS OF ISOTHERMAL TECHNOLOGY LTD ARE INTENDED FOR TECHNICALLY TRAINED AND
COMPETENT PERSONNEL FAMILIAR WITH GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE. IT IS EXPECTED THAT
PERSONNEL USING THIS EQUIPMENT WILL BE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND SKILFUL IN THE MANAGEMENT
OF APPARATUS WHICH MAY BE UNDER POWER OR UNDER EXTREMES OF TEMPERATURE (MOLTEN
METALS, CRYOGENIC LIQUIDS, ETC.) AND WILL APPRECIATE THE HAZARDS WHICH MAY BE ASSOCIATED
WITH, AND THE PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN WITH, SUCH EQUIPMENT.

THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE EARTHED

THE FURNACE IS SUPPLIED WITH A FUSE CARRIER FITTED WITH A NEUTRAL LINK AND IS FOR USE WITH
A MAINS SYSTEM WITH A NEUTRAL LINE, SUCH AS THE UK SUPPLY. IF THE FURNACE IS TO BE USED ON
A SYSTEM WHERE BOTH SUPPLY LINES ARE LIVE WITH RESPECT TO EARTH THEN THE NEUTRAL FUSE
LINK SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A FUSE. A SPARE FUSE IS SUPPLIED WITH THE FURNACE.

FUSE AND NEUTRAL LINK REPLACEMENT

HAZARDOUS VOLTAGES ARE EXPOSED WHEN THE REAR FURNACE PANEL IS REMOVED. BEFORE
REMOVING THE PANEL YOU MUST ISOLATE THE FURNACE FROM THE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY.

TO REPLACE THE MAIN ELECTRICAL FUSE OR TO REPLACE THE NEUTRAL LINK IT IS NECESSARY TO
REMOVE THE REAR PANEL, SEE WARNING ABOVE. THE PANEL WILL BECOME FREE AFTER THE FOUR
CORNER SCREWS ARE REMOVED.

TWO SPARE FUSES ARE SUPPLIED WITH THE FURNACE.

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3 Zone Metrological Furnace 465 Iss.13 – 11/16

INTRODUCTION

Whilst heat pipe furnaces offer the ideal environment to melt and freeze ITS-90 Fixed Points the temperature range is
limited by fluid that flows inside the pipe. Three zone furnaces can offer wider operating ranges and still meet the
requirements for “Optimal Realization of the Defining Points of the ITS-90...” CCT/2000-13. In place of a heat pipe
the Model 465 3 Zone High Temperature Furnace uses top and bottom zone heaters to minimize temperature
gradients.

 Widest Operating Range
 Three Zone Control
 Long Plateau Length

This more recent addition to our long-established range of metrology furnaces offers an alternative for those who
prefer 3-Zone furnaces to heat pipe technology and need high temperature operation. The three zones create a
controlled volume of constant temperature within the furnace in which High-Temperature Fixed Points such as
Aluminium, Silver and Copper can be frozen and melted. Because High-Temperature thermometers can be easily
contaminated by metallic vapours, great care has been taken to eliminate the use of metals throughout the calibration
volume. The cell holder is made of alumina.

A ceramic equalizing block is available comprising a closed ended tube, alumina tubes to house the sensors being
compared, and alumina powder to act as an equalizing media.

This 3-Zone Furnace can be used for the realizations of Zinc, Aluminium, Silver, Gold and Copper points, or with an
optional equalizing block used for annealing or comparison calibration.

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3 Zone Metrological Furnace 465 Iss.13 – 11/16

NEW FEATURES

The furnace has been upgraded to benefit from the latest technology. Fitted with a crystal clear colour display the
furnace is now fully programmable. Programs can be created for the furnace to switch between set temperatures, for
example to bring the furnace to the melt or freeze temperature at a desired time, or to lower the furnace
temperature after a predetermined time. The PID control parameters are now dynamically optimized at different
temperatures optimizing furnace stability. An Ethernet interface allows the furnace temperature to be monitored
across a network whilst a USB Interface allows programs to be copied or for the furnace heat up and cool down
history to be exported.

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3 Zone Metrological Furnace 465 Iss.13 – 11/16

GENERAL LAYOUT

Figure 1: Front View:

Figure 2: Top View:

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3 Zone Metrological Furnace 465 Iss.13 – 11/16

Figure 3: Rear View:

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3 Zone Metrological Furnace 465 Iss.13 – 11/16

CONNECTING THE FURNACE TO A LIQUID COOLANT SUPPLY

This furnace has a cooling coil installed on the top panel, this is to allow a cooler top panel working surface that will
prevent a hazard to the user when the furnace is at high temperatures and will also minimise any distortion to the top
panel that may lead to damage caused as a consequence of this. Temperatures in excess of 700°C require the cooling
coil to be used, for temperatures below this value it is optional.

The cooling coil is accessed from the rear panel (Figure 3) and this will need to be removed to make any connections
or service of the connections.

The cooling medium can be any number of substances, but in most cases water will suffice. Isotech would
recommend a cooled re-circulation system for environmental reasons, however, a simple connection to a water tap
will produce the same results. Please seek advice from your local environmental agency before cooling from a tap
supply.

The requirement will be up to 2 litres of liquid/minute. Connections require a tube or pipe with 3/8” internal

diameter for both the input and output. The exiting liquid will never rise above 50°C so a simple PVC piping can be
used.

There is no directional flow and the liquid can be flowed in either direction.

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3 Zone Metrological Furnace 465 Iss.13 – 11/16

QUICK START

Locate the furnace in a suitable, level location. Leave a minimum of 150mm of space around and 500mm above the
furnace for air circulation. Ensure there is a suitable water supply or circulation system for the cooling of the furnace
(Figure 3) and power supply nearby.

Assemble the furnace as in Figure 12, ensure the coolant is connected as in Page 14 and the equipment has a suitable
electrical connection. Connect the furnace to the electrical supply and power it up.

The Overtemperature controller will power up and display the current temperature of the furnace. To enable the
controller, press the SCROLL button on the Overtemperature controller until Hi Alarm is displayed, using the
up/down buttons enter a new temperature for the overtemperature protection (Page 12). Initially this can be quite a
low value for test purposes. Now press the SCROLL and PAGE buttons together, once to enter the new value and a
second time to reset the controller. On the second press the furnace will make a noise as the main control circuit
powers up. The main controller will now boot up, starting with the ISOTECH splashscreen.

The furnace is now active and ready for use. On the main controller, press the SCROLL button to highlight the
Setpoint box (Figure 8). Press again to adjust the value and select a suitable value, a value 20°C below the
overtemperature is suitable, using the up/down buttons. Enter the value by pressing the Scroll button. The furnace
will now rise in temperature to the selected value.

If the furnace has been in transit or not been used for several days then there may be an ingress of moisture into the

insulation and other ceramics, the furnace may need to be “dried out” by running at a low value such as 100°C for a

period of several hours.

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3 Zone Metrological Furnace 465 Iss.13 – 11/16

USING THE OVERTEMPERATURE CONTROLLER

Figure 4

The furnace uses an alarm value on the controller to disable the heaters if the furnace goes into the alarm condition.
If the furnace goes into the alarm condition, it will power down the Main controller and circuitry.

Adjusting the Overtemperature value on the controller:

1. Press the Scroll button to display A1 HI

2. Use the up/down buttons to scroll to the desired alarm setting. This would normally be 10-20°C above the

target temperature

3. To enter the value you will need to press the PAGE and SCROLL buttons simultaneously

4. To re-set the controller from an alarm condition you will need to press the buttons again simultaneously

5. If the controller is in the alarm condition and the complete furnace is powered down, the controller will

“remember” the condition and will still need to be manually reset when powered up again.